QuestionI would need some advice on receiver vs CD/DVD player.
Assuming that I have a top of the range AV receiver with both Analogue Cd input and Coax/Opto input;
I understand that If I want to use the Analogue Input of the AV receiver I will need a very good CD player. BUT If I connect the CD/DVD player to the AV Receiver Via the Coax or Optical link, then data will be sent from CD to AV receiver in digital (PCM) and the DAC inside the CD player will NOT be used.
So As no analogue is used inside CD Player, WILL I get the same sound Quality from a $50 or $500 cd player? if not why not? surely the digital Stream out of the player should be same on all type of players.
AnswerThey are nearly the same. And, that is why, for most people, I would recommend just getting the $20 cd or dvd player.
However, there are subtle differences in the way the digital signals are processed. The error detection and correction system is an important feature, so also, is the decoding of the digital pits information from the surface of the disc. So, if you are golden ear and want extreme high fidelity, there are differences.
Further, the analog output is a function of the design of the Digital to Analog converter and the audio output amplifier. They sound quite different from player to player. So, most technical people will tell you that you get better and more reliable sound by using the digital output stream to the receiver. And that is generally true, however, lately the analog parts of a typical player are very well designed (after all, digital players are now over 20 years old) and the differences are getting smaller all the time.
In my opinion, only about 10% of the population have trained hearing sufficient to detect substantial differences between the inexpensive player and the expensive one.
Let me know if you want more discussion.
C
